National and Multinational Scientific Schools in Research on the Tourism Potential of Administrative-Territorial Units

A recent increase in domestic tourism flows in Russia during 2022–2024 has raised the need to assess the tourism potential of administrative-territorial units (ATUs). The primary goal of these assessments is to identify ATUs that are eligible for administrative and financial support to foster tourism development. However, the concept of ATU tourism potential has often been criticized for its theoretical and methodological shortcomings. Many scholars attribute these weaknesses to the influence of national and multinational research schools in the field, yet this factor remains insufficiently explored in the academic literature. This study is an initial step toward identifying and describing these research schools. The study proposes a modified system-criteria approach and outlines six research schools in ATU tourism potential theory that have existed from 1960 to 2024. We then analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each school. Based on this analysis, we propose recommendations for the development of each school and suggestions for integrating their ideas into Russian administrative practice and research. The findings of this investigation provide a foundation for rethinking and advancing the theory and methodology of ATU tourism potential.